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Core Staff

Jael Young
Title: Director of Peak AdventuresEducation: Bachelor's in Anthropology, Master's in Recreation and Leisure StudiesQualifications: Jael has been with Peak Adventures for almost as long as Peak Adventures has been around. Once she discovered the realm of outdoor adventure programming as a profession, she actively pursued acquiring outdoor skills and certifications during and after college. Then, after working in multiple entry level field positions within Peak Adventures, combined with seasonal work with Outward Bound and a background in a family business, she obtained a management position.Top 3 outdoor hobbies: Rock Climbing, Backpacking, SnowshoeingBest outdoor experience: I will always treasure my semester at NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). It's hard to top three months of playing and learning in the great outdoors! I was able to do winter travel, canyon backpacking, rock climbing and white water rafting in some of the most beautiful places. This experience showed me the power of Mother Nature to teach people of all ages about themselves. If I had to pick one particular aspect of my NOLS semester, it would probably be when I got to do an overnight ascent of a 2,000 foot rock wall called Dream Of Wild Turkeys in Red Rocks, NV.Favorite thing about Peak Adventures: "My favorite thing about Peak Adventures is that it is a place that values community."

Valerie Regner
Title: Challenge Center Manager, Team Lead, FacilitatorEducation: Bachelor's in Recreation Administration from Sacramento State UniversityQualifications: Valerie has been with Peak Adventures since the beginning of 2002. She has over 1,000 hours of facilitation experience, 15 years of event planning experience, 15 years of summer camp experience, and a love for the outdoors.Top 3 outdoor hobbies: Hiking, camping, playing!Best outdoor experience: Hiking with my dad.Favorite thing about Peak Adventures: "The opportunities to play!"

Rad Beauton
Title: Bike Shop Manager, Bicycle MechanicQualifications: I've been working on bikes since I've been riding them. Along with my mechanical knowledge of bikes, I've had a wrench in my hand since I was 2 (my grandma has pictures to prove it).Top 3 outdoor hobbies: Cyclocross, Snowboarding, and did I mention Bikes?Best outdoor experience: Every day that I'm outside on a bike turns into my best outdoor experience …. So it is forever changing.Favorite thing about Peak Adventures: "My hands down favorite thing about peak … aside from getting paid to do my passion , is the amazing comrade of all of the staff with one another."

Alicia Taylor
Title: Programs SpecialistEducation: Bachelor's in English at Texas A&M UniversityQualifications: Alicia has been working for Peak Adventures since the Fall of 2006. Her previous experience as a software project manager helps her assist customers as well as manage office duties and program logistics. She has years of experience as a raft guide and white water kayaker.Top 3 outdoor hobbies: Whitewater Kayaking, Hiking, Biking.Best outdoor experience: Kayaking school in Chile - 12 days, 5 rivers. Tons o' fun.Favorite thing about Peak Adventures: "The people ... it's all about the people. Great staff, great customers."

Meredith BudlongTitle: Operations SpecialistEducation: Masters in Recreation Administration, Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Parks Management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.Qualifications: Meredith has worked for college outdoor programs in North Carolina and Vermont, and has also held varying positions at several challenge courses. She has worked at two different rock climbing gyms including most recently as the Programs Coordinator for privately owned gym in Morrisville, North Carolina. Top 3 outdoor hobbies: Rock climbing, Whitewater Kayaking, BackpackingBest Outdoor experience: Sitting at the top of my first trad climb on the edge of the 100 ft Moore’s Wall in North Carolina.Favorite thing about Peak Adventures: "Every person I meet comes with a smile and kind words.”

Eric Johnson
Title: Challenge Center Program Assistant
Education: I have received my A.A. at American River College Qualifications: This will be my 12th year working for Peak Adventures as a Team Lead facilitator. I also have 5 years coaching experience, ropes course inspection and building experience, I am also a ropes course consultant. Best outdoor experience: Being part of the winning team for “24 Hours of Cool” mountain bike race 2009. Favorite thing about Peak Adventures: Getting the chance to bond and work with many different demographics.

Support Staff

Julie AzevedoTitle: Sales Assistant
Education: Currently working on a Bachelor’s of Science in Business here at Sac State and a minor in RPTA.Qualifications: Besides being a Business major and RPTA minor, I have worked as office manager/lead for two years for Sac State’s Conference Services. Growing up I spent some time, during the summer, camping around the Pismo Beach area. I also spent some time as a SCICON camp counselor. Top Favorite Outdoor Hobbies: Gardening, Swimming and simply having fun in the sunFavorite thing about Peak Adventures: The endless fun and all of the warm and welcoming staff!

Kayla whiteTitle: Front Office Assistant
Education: Bachelors of Science in Recreation Administration.Qualifications: Various involvement in leadership positions within campus recreation such as the RPTA Department representative on The WELL Advisory Group, member of Recreation Majors Association, executive board of Alphi Chi Omega Sorority and soccer coach/ summer camp counselor for Sacramento community programs. Top Favorite Outdoor Hobbies: Hiking, playing soccer, recreating around Tahoe & adventuring around The American River Bike Trail. Favorite thing about Peak Adventures: The endless adventure!

Kelsey FulopTitle: Front Office Assistant Education: Second year Communications Major with an emphasis in Public Relations, working towards a Bachelor’s Degree.Qualifications: Held many leadership positions in charity organizations and holds an executive office position in Alpha Chi Omega at Sac State. Also a fan of adventure and trying new and exciting things. Top Favorite Outdoor Hobbies: Hiking, boating, rafting, beach volleyball, skiing, swimming & running the American River Bike Trail. Favorite thing about Peak Adventures: The lighthearted and friendly staff members!

Ross GarnerTitle: Outdoor Trip Program AssistantEducation: Associates in General Business. Currently working on my bachelors in Entrepreneurship. Qualifications: I am currently certified in CPR/First Aid and Wilderness First Aid. I am a raft guide for ICO (Inner City Outings) which specializes in taking under privileged youth down the South Fork of the American River. I have also designed and implemented Royal Court Martial Art's first ever summer camp for children and have more than 9 years of experience working with children. Top 3 Outdoor Hobbies: White Water Rafting, Rock Climbing, SnowboardingBest Outdoor Experience: My best outdoor experiences are all of my rafting trips where I get to spend the night on the river. There is nothing better than spending a day on the river and then coming back to a camp site where everyone sits around the fire and shares some laughs. Favorite Thing About Peak Adventures: My favorite thing about Peak Adventures is simply the people. You won't find a better group of individuals who will go out of their way to make sure that you're doing well and having a good time.

Catherine PittsTitle: Outdoor Trip Program AssistantEducation: Working on my Bachelor's in Geography
with a minor in Recreation Administration at California State University, Sacramento.Qualifications: Adult First Aid/CPR with AED application and Wilderness First Aid. Personal outdoors experience include several backpacking trips to Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Lassen National Park and Desolation Wilderness. Top 3 Outdoor Hobbies: Hiking, Running and BackpackingBest Outdoor Experience: Point Reyes backpacking trips with family and friends and all of the fun times that we had.Favorite Thing About Peak Adventures: The positive experiences that everyone, from staff to participants, are able to attain.

Devin SaumTitle: Outdoor Trip Program AssistantEducation: Associates in Political Science and German. Currently pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in Economics. Qualifications: I am currently certified with CPR/First Aid and Wilderness First Aid. I have eight years’ experience as an Assistant Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts of America, and over fifteen years of outdoor experience, including canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, camping, white water rafting, and rock climbing.Top 3 Outdoor Hobbies: Hiking, Canoeing, SnorkelingBest Outdoor Experience: Grand Canyon BackpackFavorite Thing About Peak Adventures: Being part of a team of very positive and successful individuals!

Matt SwazasTitle: Outdoor Trip Program AssistantEducation: Currently working on my degree in RPTA with an emphasis on the parks department.Qualifications: I am currently certified in Wilderness First Aid. In terms of personal experience, I have camped my entire life and got on multiple backpacking trips, including two fifty milers: Kings Canyon and Yosemite.Top 3 Outdoor Hobbies: Hiking, Backpacking, White Water RaftingBest Outdoor Experience: Seeing the sunrise on top of Half Dome, no question.Favorite thing about Peak Adventures: Being able to work with a ton of great of people on one common goal, experiencing what the outdoors has to offer us.

Shannon Yannazzo Title: Outdoor Trip Program AssistantEducation: Currently working on a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation at Sacramento State.Qualifications: I am currently certified in Wilderness First Aid. I spend a lot of time hiking in the Sacramento region, and the Tahoe National Forest. I have over ten years of snowboarding and skiing experience. I also love doing yoga, camping, water sports, and rock climbing. Always up for new experiences and adventures. Top 3 Outdoor Hobbies: Hiking, Snowboarding, Stand-up Paddleboarding. Best Outdoor Experience: Camping with friends, solo hiking to Marlette Lake, and my first rock climbing experience. Favorite Thing About Peak Adventures: The positive attitudes that each individual brings to work every day, and also the opportunities to experience new things with great people!

Devin Van HoyTitle: Outdoor trip Program Assistant Education: Went to Chico State!Qualifications: WFA and 14 years as a Girl Scout and a Girl Scout Counselor Top 3 Outdoor Hobbies: Horseback Riding, Whitewater rafting and Hiking Best Outdoor Experience: Sleeping under the stars <3Favorite Thing about Peak Adventures: How much of a community we are.

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